Albania 11-Day Luxury Tour: Culture, Coast & Cuisine
Where luxury meets authenticity
This is an 11-day fully guided private luxury tour of Albania, from Tirana and the Dajti cable car through UNESCO Berat and Gjirokaster to the Blue Eye, Butrint, Ksamil, Saranda and the Riviera, ending back in Tirana. A private guide and private transport are included throughout, with 5-star hotels and four gourmet experiences. From €3,800 per person, double occupancy.
This is a fully guided private luxury tour: a private guide and all private transport throughout, 5-star hotels, and four curated gastronomic experiences. You travel as your own party at a relaxed pace, with days of exploration followed by coastal downtime in Ksamil and on the Riviera. Everything can be customized: add experiences, extra nights, or a guide in your preferred language. Booking is instant and any start date is open.
This is the refined version of an Albania grand tour. You start in Tirana with the Dajti cable car and a sommelier-led raki tasting, then move south through Durrës, a private vineyard on Lalzi Bay, and Kruja’s castle and bazaar. Berat and Gjirokastër bring the UNESCO old towns, with a farm-to-table lunch at Alpeta and a herbal-potion workshop in Lazarat along the way.
The second half is the coast. The Blue Eye spring, ancient Butrint and sunset over Ksamil’s islands, then a slow beach day. A private boat carries you to the hidden cove at Krorez, and you dine at Lekursi Castle above Sarandë with live music. The Riviera villages, coastal castles and a bonfire evening in Dhërmi lead into Llogara, Vlora and ancient Apollonia before a farewell feast back in Tirana.
A private guide is with you throughout, so the history, the food and the timing are handled. The pace stays unhurried, and every element can be shaped to what you want.
Why you'll love this trip
- Dajti Mountain cable car and a sommelier-led raki and meze tasting in Tirana
- A private vineyard on Lalzi Bay: wine tasting, lake boat and kayak, gourmet lunch
- Kruja castle and old bazaar
- UNESCO Berat and the farm-to-table experience at Alpeta in Rroshnik
- Gjirokaster old town, Ali Pasha castle and a herbal-potion workshop in Lazarat
- The Blue Eye spring, ancient Butrint and sunset over Ksamil
- A private boat to the hidden Krorez beach and a gourmet dinner at Lekursi Castle
- Riviera villages, Porto Palermo and Himara castles, and a bonfire evening in Dhermi
- The Llogara Pass and Vlora seafront Lungomare
- Ancient Apollonia and the pelicans of Karavasta Lagoon
Suitability
Is this trip right for you?
Physical level
Easy and relaxed. Short walks on cobbled streets and some castle steps, with plenty of downtime on the coast. All transport is private, so there is no driving or navigating.
✓ Who should book
Couples and small private groups who want comfort and refinement without losing the authentic side of Albania, and food and wine lovers who want the best tastings on the route.
✕ Who should not book
Travellers on a tight budget (the self-drive version is a lower-cost alternative), or anyone wanting a packed, fast-moving schedule, since this tour leaves room to slow down.
Day by day
Your 11-day itinerary
Tirana and Dajti Mountain
Tirana, Dajti Mountain
Explore Tirana’s squares and colourful streets, then ride the Dajti cable car for sweeping views, with optional rope courses, horse riding or archery at the top. The evening is a sommelier-led raki tasting paired with artisanal meze.
Durres coast and a vineyard on Lalzi Bay
Durres, Kepi i Rodonit, Lalzi Bay, Kruja
Visit ancient Durres, walk the headland at Kepi i Rodonit and pause on Lalzi Bay. A private vineyard follows, with wine tasting, a lake boat and kayak, and a three-course lunch. Step back in time at Kruja’s hilltop castle and bazaar before returning to Tirana.
Berat, the City of a Thousand Windows
Elbasan, Berat, Rroshnik
Travel through Elbasan to UNESCO Berat. Walk its Ottoman streets, climb the lived-in castle and take in the riverside views. In the afternoon, a gourmet farm-to-table experience at Alpeta in Rroshnik with rose elixir and fine wines. Back in Berat, an Albanian Night of music and dance.
Tepelena, Lazarat and Gjirokaster
Tepelena, Lazarat, Gjirokaster
Pause at the Uji i Ftohte spring and Ali Pasha Castle in Tepelena. In Lazarat, harvest and craft your own medicinal herbal potion with locals. Arrive in stone-built Gjirokaster for a gourmet agrotourism dinner and an evening walk through the cobbled streets.
Gjirokaster crafts, the Blue Eye, Butrint and Ksamil
Gjirokaster, Blue Eye, Mesopotam, Butrint, Ksamil
A hands-on craft workshop in the Gjirokaster bazaar and coffee with local women, then the turquoise Blue Eye spring and a riverside lunch in Mesopotam. Explore ancient Butrint, then watch the sun set over Ksamil’s islands from a rooftop terrace.
Ksamil at leisure
Ksamil
A full day on Ksamil’s beaches: swim in the clear water, relax on the coves, and enjoy the island views from your seaside hotel.
Sarande secret coves and Lekursi Castle
Saranda, Krorez, Lekursi
Board a private boat in Saranda to secluded beaches including remote Krorez, with snacks and drinks on board. As the sun sets, dine at Lekursi Castle with panoramic views and live music.
Riviera villages and coastal castles
Lukove, Borsh, Qeparo, Porto Palermo, Himara, Dhermi
Travel the Riviera through Lukove, Borsh and Qeparo, with stops at Porto Palermo, Borsh and Himara castles. The evening is cocktails and seaside dinner by the fire in Dhermi.
Llogara Pass and Vlora
Llogara, Vlora
Wind through the pine slopes of Llogara National Park to its viewpoint, then descend to Vlora’s historic centre and the landmarks of Albanian independence. Evening stroll along the Lungomare.
Apollonia, Karavasta and a farewell feast
Apollonia, Karavasta Lagoon, Tirana
A quiet monastery visit and the ancient ruins of Apollonia, then the wetlands of Karavasta Lagoon, home to rare Dalmatian pelicans. Return to Tirana for a degustation dinner and a final Albanian Night.
Departure
Tirana
Free time for last souvenirs or a city cafe, then your private transfer to Tirana airport.
Route & places
Tirana › Dajti Mountain › Durres › Kepi i Rodonit › Lalzi Bay › Kruja › Elbasan › Berat › Rroshnik › Tepelena › Lazarat › Blue Eye › Mesopotam › Butrint › Ksamil › Lukove › Borsh › Qeparo › Porto Palermo › Dhermi › Llogara › Vlora › Apollonia › Karavasta Lagoon › Gjirokastra
What's included
✓ Included
- 🏨10 nights in hand-picked 5-star hotels
- 🍳Daily breakfast
- 🍽️4 full-course gastronomic experiences, including farm-to-table meals
- 🧭Private guide throughout
- 🚐All private transport and transfers, including airport transfers
- 🎟️Entrance tickets to the museums, castles, archaeological sites and national parks in the itinerary
- ✓All workshops and activities listed in the itinerary
- 📞24/7 local assistance and on-ground support
- 🎟️All local taxes, service charges and fees
Not included
- ✕International flights
- ✕Personal expenses
- ✕Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ✕Optional activities not listed as included
- ✕Single supplement (+1300 euro for a private room throughout)
Trip details
Where you'll stay
Good to know
What to bring
- 👟Comfortable walking shoes for castle and old-town cobbles
- 🩱Swimwear for the coast at Ksamil, Saranda and the Riviera
- 🍽️Smart-casual outfit for gourmet dinners and the castle dinner
- 🚗A light layer for cooler evenings and air-conditioned cars
- 🧴Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- 💶Some cash in euro or lek for personal extras
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private tour?
Yes. You travel as your own party with a private guide and private vehicle throughout, on your own dates. Nothing is shared with other travellers, and the itinerary can be adjusted to your interests and pace.
What does fully guided mean here?
A private guide is with you for the whole journey, handling the history, the food stops and the timing, with specialist local guides at major heritage sites. You never drive and never navigate.
What are the hotels like?
Ten nights in hand-picked 5-star hotels, chosen for location, comfort and character, with sea-view or seaside stays on the coast. Specific properties are confirmed on booking and can be upgraded on request.
Is there a single supplement?
The price is for two people sharing. A solo traveller wanting a private room throughout pays a 1300 euro single supplement.
Can the tour be customized?
Yes, completely. Add experiences or extra nights, change the pace, request a guide in another language, or adjust the route. Tell us what you want and we build your version before you arrive.
When is the best time to go?
April to October. Late spring and early autumn give warm sea, golden light and quieter sites. July and August are hottest and best for beach time. The tour can be adapted for other dates.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast plus four full-course gastronomic experiences, including farm-to-table meals and tastings. Other meals are left free so you can explore, and more can be added on request.
How much does an 11-day luxury tour of Albania cost?
This tour starts at €3,800 per person on double occupancy, with a private guide, private transport, 5-star hotels and four gourmet experiences included. Flights are not included. Single travelers pay a supplement, and you can add extra nights, experiences or a guide in your preferred language.
Is Albania a good luxury destination?
Yes, if you value privacy and access over big-brand resorts. Albania offers boutique 5-star hotels, private wine and raki tastings, UNESCO towns without the crowds and a dramatic coastline, at a better price than Italy or Greece. This tour is how we show that side of the country.
How much driving is there each day?
Between 2 and 3 hours on most touring days, split into short scenic segments with stops, in a private air-conditioned vehicle. The longest days are Berat, Gjirokaster, the Riviera and the return to Tirana, each around 3 hours in total. Four days have almost no driving at all: arrival day in Tirana, Ksamil at leisure, the Saranda boat day and departure day.
How many hours a day are we out exploring?
This is a relaxed private tour, not a checklist schedule. Touring days mix two or three sightseeing stops with a long lunch and free time, and because the guide is only with your party, the rhythm follows you: start later, stay longer at a place you love, or skip a stop entirely. Day 6 in Ksamil is fully at leisure and evenings are always your own.
Cancellation policy
A 30% deposit secures your booking. The remaining balance is due 1 month (30 days) before departure. Cancellations more than 30 days before departure lose the deposit; within 30 days the booking is non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance.
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